Trucking and regulatory
FMCSA
FMCSA is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation. It writes and enforces safety rules for commercial motor vehicles and carriers, and it handles registration for interstate carriers. Its rules are in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
Why it matters
Any portable storage company that moves containers by truck should know FMCSA. Its rules cover driver qualifications, hours of service, vehicle inspections and carrier registration. Whether they apply depends on vehicle weight, interstate travel and what you haul. A common mistake is to assume a small fleet is exempt. Another is to think a state license covers federal duties. FMCSA does not issue commercial driver's licenses. States do that. Check the FMCSA site for your vehicle and route, and check your state rules too. For advice on a specific fleet, ask a transportation compliance professional.
Read: Safety and compliance for container delivery: DOT, FMCSA, CDL and OSHA
Definition source: ecfr.gov
Related terms
DOT number
A DOT number is an identifier assigned to a company that operates commercial vehicles. Most people mean the USDOT number issued by FMCSA. It tracks a carrier's safety record from audits, inspections and crash reports. Rules differ by state for in-state carriers.
USDOT number
A USDOT number is the unique identifier that FMCSA gives to a company that operates commercial vehicles. It is used to collect and monitor a company's safety information from audits, reviews, crash investigations and inspections. Federal rules decide who must register.
MC number
An MC number is a form of FMCSA operating authority. It is required, along with a USDOT number, for many for-hire interstate carriers. It is also called a docket number. FMCSA also uses FF and MX numbers for other authority types.
CDL
A CDL is a commercial driver's license, required to drive certain commercial motor vehicles. A driver must pass knowledge and skills tests. States issue CDLs. FMCSA sets the federal standards and does not issue them. Some vehicles also need extra endorsements.
hours of service (HOS)
Hours of service are FMCSA rules on how long commercial drivers may be on duty and how much rest they need. They set limits on driving time and rest periods to help keep drivers awake and alert. The rules are in 49 CFR part 395.
interstate commerce
Interstate commerce is trade, traffic or transportation in the United States between a place in a state and a place outside that state. It also covers trips between two places in one state that pass through another state. FMCSA uses this definition to decide which federal motor carrier rules apply.
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